Subject: Pool report #1a
Moments after pool entered Rick’s City Diner through the front door, POTUS emerged from the back near the kitchen. He received applause for this from the 25 or so diners in the small restaurant, which is set on the side of the road adjacent to a place called the Ale House.
Pool crowded nearby, up against tables where people were eating. Mr. Obama told the diners to pretend pool wasn’t there.
“Ignore these people,” he said.
The diners were craning their necks, ignoring their food as they watched POTUS take his seat at a table along the wall with the three auto workers.
“But I’ll make sure to come around and say ‘hi’ to everybody,” Mr. Obama announced. More applause.
Mr. Obama sat in an empty chair next to Daniel Schlieman and across from James Fayson. Heather Finfrock was seated next to Mr. Fayson.
The table was set with silverware rolled in paper napkins and empty coffee cups turned upside down.
Mr. Fayson had a copy of the Toledo Blade with him. POTUS picked it up, looked and the front page and remarked on a story (pool couldn’t see what) then said he should autograph it.
“So how are things going at the plant?” Mr. Obama asked, his elbows on the table and arms crossed. “I’m very excited,” Mr. Fayson replied.
Pool spray lasted about 5 minutes. POTUS and the auto workers chatted but pool couldn’t hear much.
At one point, Mr. Obama regaled the auto workers with tales about his first car, a Jeep. It was “bright and shiny,” he told them, and the “seat was all comfortable.” He also mentioned something about K-turns.
Just before pool was ushered out of the restaurant, a waitress approached POTUS’s table with a pot of coffee. Mr. Obama asked her her name. Pool is told her name is Megan Emch.
Pool is holding in the parking lot. Thanks to Scott Horsley for the spray audio.
